Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2743

Brielle drove her little Beetle out of Chetvine after leaving Medicine God's Covenant. She was determined to go because there was nothing here worth holding onto anymore.

If she had to name one thing she felt a hint of attachment for, it was probably Andrew, whom she had just talked to. He was about the same age her son would have been, and if he were still alive, he would have grown into a handsome young man as well.

In the rearview mirror, two black SUVs sped up behind her.

Brielle's instincts kicked in as she swept her gaze over them and immediately accelerated, yet the SUVs roared louder and closed in quickly, boxing her in from both sides. One of the car windows rolled down to reveal an old, deeply lined face covered in pockmarks.

"Brielle, this isn't the road back to Sovereign's Apothecary, is it?"

The moment she heard that voice and saw the man's face, Brielle stiffened. "Damon? You actually came to Chetvine."

Damon Mullins was the Third Elder of the Divine Alchemists and, in seniority, Brielle and Julius' senior apprentice.

These old hermits almost never set foot in modern cities, dedicating their entire lives to secluded training until their deaths. Yet, Damon himself had come after her.

Brielle's heart sank deeper and deeper. She snapped, "Damon, don't force me."

Damon snorted. "You're the one forcing me. Pull over, I won't say it again. You're returning to the Divine Alchemists with me right now."

Brielle erupted. "Why should I listen to you? I already left, so stop interfering with my freedom."

Damon replied in a calm but chilling voice, "This is Mr. Bowen's order. Are you going back or not?"

Brielle fell silent as pain twisted beneath her veil. After a long moment, she hardened her voice. "No matter what you do, I will never go back. I swore I wouldn't see Julius ever again in this lifetime."

He struck at her with his palm, yet Brielle leaped back and dodged. She said in an icy tone, "Damon, I've respected you, but don't push me any further."

Damon snapped, "Brielle, you've been indulging yourself for years, and Mr. Bowen has had enough. The entire sect has had enough. Come back now, and everything ends peacefully, or you'll pay the price."

He leaned in and lowered his voice. "And you might as well know this: Mr. Bowen is furious with Chetvine's Lloyd royal family, especially Andrew and Reginald. Just now, he intercepted Reginald at the border himself. With help from Waylon Sloan from Sorya, Reginald ended up injured."

Damon's tone grew darker. "Mr. Bowen's mind is impossible for us to guess, and the injury only made him more volatile. My trip to Chetvine isn't just to bring you back. I have another mission. I'm here to join the Dragon-Slaying Plan."

Brielle's face changed drastically. "Julius has lost his mind. He still wants to go after Reginald?"

Damon sneered. "Reginald is overseas, so he's out of reach for now. The dragon to be slain is his son, Andrew, that little cursed dragon."